WDS to showcase circularity in demolition

Presentations will explore how demolition contractors are reducing waste, recovering materials and transforming the sector’s environmental impact.

Taking place this year in Madrid, the summit will bring together industry leaders from across the globe to share practical solutions and real-world case studies focused on sustainable demolition and recycling.

The organisers have welcomed the addition of Spanish demolition contractor Erri Berri, part of Grupo Felmar, to the programme.

Erri Berri site manager Jose Carlos Juan Muñoz

The company is pioneering sustainable methods through its ‘Demolition Without Footprint’ business model, which was recently the subject of a United Nations Global Compact case study on the circular economy.

Erri Berri site manager Jose Carlos Juan Muñoz will guide attendees through the methodology, exploring how circular demolition can transform one of the construction industry’s most waste-intensive sectors.

His presentation will highlight the company’s continued progress in material recovery, including an impressive recovery rate of 98.56% achieved in 2025, alongside major reductions in water consumption and emissions.

The session will offer insight into how circular principles can be successfully implemented on complex demolition projects while significantly reducing environmental impact.

Demolition as enabler of circularity is also the topic for Are Strøm, CEO of Urban Reuse and EVP at NG Nordic, who joins the programme on the first day of the summit.

NG Nordic is recognised as one of Europe’s leading circular solutions and environmental services providers and was recently named among TIME World’s Most Impactful Companies 2026 for its contribution to advancing circularity.

Are Strøm, CEO Urban Reuse, EVP NG Nordic

Are will present how Urban Reuse helped enable the transformation of the former American Embassy in Oslo. Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and opened in 1959, the building is considered one of Norway’s most important examples of post-war modernist architecture.

“This project demonstrates how specialist demolition can unlock major value in historic and protected buildings, and how our industry can move from ‘demolition as an end point’ to ‘demolition as a tool for transformation’,” said Are.

Already announced, the presentation “Resilient demolition: building circularity from the private sector in informal and volatile contexts” from Miguel Ippolito, director of management at Grupo Mitre, will focus on several high circularity demolition projects in Argentina.

Grupo Mitre is the first demolition company in the world to receive B Corp certification, awarded in June 2020, and the first to build a comprehensive private C&D recycling plant in the country.

“The momentum for the transition toward a circular economy – and toward an industry that is responsible to both people and the planet – depends on companies,” stated Miguel.

More speakers and topics are still to be announced.